A citywide carnival of joy kicks off as the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival begins

▲2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival – San Duo Commercial District “Four Gate Lantern Area” (Photo provided by the Kaohsiung City Government, the same below)

Reported by Reporter You [Name unclear] / Taipei

The “2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival” kicked off today (28th). Unlike previous years, the lantern festival has moved to the city center’s commercial districts, featuring lantern displays along the way, an expanded area, and a duration of 27 days. The Love River fireworks, illuminated light sculptures, and floats all shine brightly over the harbor city, turning the entire metropolis into a joyful carnival. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu said that this year’s lantern festival offers the public a different experience, and she welcomes everyone to visit Kaohsiung during the Spring Festival to get close to the beauty of the harbor city.


▲ “2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival – Love River Fireworks Show.

This year’s lantern festival is being held in the San Duo Commercial District, Wu Fu Commercial District, and along both sides of the Love River. At tonight’s opening ceremony, the street next to San Duo Commercial District on Zhongshan Road was specially closed to traffic. The awe-inspiring “Drums Shaking Heaven and Earth” performance by the Jiutian Folk Arts Troupe kicked off the event. Mayor Chen Chu then led the city government team and representatives from the commercial districts to jointly light up eight “Colorful Butterflies Dancing, Dazzling Kaohsiung” lantern gates. Zhongshan Road, Wu Fu Road, and the banks of the Love River lit up one after another, presenting a sea of city lights that drew continuous gasps of amazement from the crowd.

After the lighting ceremony, a series of exciting performances followed. Singers Yan Jue, Huang Shan Liang, and the Fire Extinguisher Band performed energetically, while the interactive light and shadow show at the Colorful Butterflies Dancing lantern gates added to the lively atmosphere. At exactly 9 p.m., the Love River opening fireworks show “Rising Sun, Lofty Aspirations of Kaohsiung” burst into the sky. Fan-shaped fireworks simultaneously erupted and soared from the riverbanks, resembling a rising sun and ever-changing patterns. The fireworks and their reflections in the river offered a completely new visual experience, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.

Mayor Chen Chu said that due to the ongoing construction of the Ocean Culture and Pop Music Center next to Glory Pier, this year’s lantern festival breaks from tradition and collaborates with major commercial districts related to industrial development. It has moved to urban areas and roadsides, extending also to Fo Guang Shan, Qishan, and Gangshan, lighting up every corner of Kaohsiung and giving the public a brand-new experience.

▲ 2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival.

The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will illuminate the city from now until February 23rd. The highly anticipated Love River fireworks show will take place every Saturday night at 9 p.m. with a different theme each time. On February 14th (Lantern Festival) and February 23rd (Closing Ceremony), even more spectacular fireworks displays will be launched. Over 20 teams, including local businesses, schools, community groups, and art troupes, will also join forces on Lantern Festival night to present a dazzling and thrilling float parade, which is another highlight of the event.

In addition, the traditional lantern displays this year are spread across the “Art Lantern Area” on He Dong Road and the “Competition Lantern Area” on He Xi Road. Various types of lanterns showcase boundless creativity. During the event, there will also be three light and shadow shows at the lantern gates in the San Duo Commercial District every day.